Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

3D Robotics Offers ‘Flyaway Guarantee’ on the New Solo Drone

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3D Robotics SOLO Drone-10

One of the biggest complaints that I have heard about the DJI Phantom series of quadcopters has been random flyaways that some users experienced. I have covered these issues ad-nauseam here on Photography Bay and there is a nightmarish forum thread here with dozens of first-hand reports. It is a real problem and something that can quite simply kill a passion of flying drones for many users after they helplessly watch a $1,000+ kit flyaway.

When I talked to 3D Robotics about the flyaway concern at NAB 2015, I learned that the company essentially offers a flyaway guarantee for the new Solo. [Read more…]

 

Use a GPS Tracker for DJI Phantom as Another Flyaway Defense

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Phantom Vision 2 Plus

The DJI Phantom quadcopter is a pretty awesome tool for photographers and filmmakers; however, one negative component of the Phantom is the frequent complaints from those who have lost their Phantom as a result of a flyaway.

While the cause of Phantom flyaways is a constant source of debate, there are certainly things that can be done to minimize the risk. Still, that may not be enough.

According to several reports from Phantom users, every setting can be made by the book and the Phantom can still be affected by an uncontrollable flyaway.

We’ve previously looked at ways to minimize the risk of flyaways; however, there is one more measure you can take that improves the likelihood of recovery in the event of a flyaway . . . . [Read more…]

How to Prevent Flyaways with DJI Phantom Quadcopters

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DJI Phantom

A couple of the more popular posts in recent months here on Photography Bay deal with reports and concerns about DJI Phantom users and their experience with flyaways. By “flyaway”, we are talking about when the user loses control of the DJI Phantom quadcopter and it is most often lost or heavily damaged as it heads off into an unanticipated direction. [Read more…]

DJI Responds to Phantom Flyaway Concerns and Safeguards in Phantom 2

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DJI Phantom

In July 2013, I posted an article detailing the numerous flyaway reports for the Phantom quadcopter that many users had experienced. It proved to be a very popular topic and users are still reporting issues and addressing possible solutions in this forum thread.

When I asked DJI about the issue via email last year, I received what seemed to be a basic troubleshooting response. Later in 2013, DJI released the Phantom 2 Vision and Phantom 2 quadcopter with additional features; however, the documentation for the Phantom 2 did not allude to any flyaway concerns relating to the original Phantom.

I attended DJI’s press conference at CES 2014, which highlighted the Phantom 2. After the press conference, DJI opened the floor for questions, at which time I presented the question from Photography Bay forum member and reader concerns regarding the original Phantom flyaways and whether the Phantom 2 takes into account any of these concerns with new safeguard to prevent flyaways. [Read more…]